COPA Slams Motor Traffic Department for Corruption

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has expressed severe dissatisfaction with the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) after officials appeared before them unprepared during a meeting held on Monday in Parliament. The committee, chaired by MP Aravinda Senarath, instructed the officials to return at a future date, properly prepared to address the issues at hand.

The purpose of the meeting was to review the Auditor General’s reports for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, and discuss the department’s current performance. The committee also focused on the implementation of directives from previous meetings.

One of the key points of discussion was the issue of illegal vehicle registrations, which had been identified before the integration of the Customs computer system. The Auditor General had presented 25 observations related to this matter, and the committee expected to receive a report on the investigations conducted and any disciplinary actions taken against those responsible.

However, despite claims from the officials that such a report had been submitted, the Auditor General clarified that it had not been received. A copy of the report was presented during the session, but upon review, it was deemed entirely unsatisfactory. The committee then launched an extensive inquiry into the matter, but the officials failed to provide adequate answers, claiming they did not have access to the relevant historical information.

In response to this unsatisfactory performance, the committee expressed their strong dissatisfaction and decided to summon the DMT again at a later date. The officials were instructed to be fully prepared and present complete, accurate information during the next appearance.

The meeting, which included Deputy Ministers and committee members such as Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera, Sugath Thilakaratne, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Sagarika Athauda, Attorney at Law Oshani Umanga, Susantha Kumara Nawarathna, Dr. Janaka Senarathna, Dinindu Saman, and Lal Premanath, also saw the presence of state officials.

This session highlighted ongoing concerns about corruption within the department, with the committee pressing for a thorough examination of the situation to ensure accountability and transparency in the handling of public affairs.